The Convention of States movement’s Year-in-Review grassroots call took place on Tuesday night with hundreds in attendance. The celebratory event featured national leaders Mark Meckler and Rick Santorum as well as some of the organization’s top grassroots activists.
The event kicked off with an opening from COS President Mark Meckler, who reflected on the past year and praised the extraordinary work of every state team working diligently to build up the needed muscle. Meckler paused for a moment of silence to recognize several COS warriors lost on the battlefield this year. These patriots sacrifice for the movement, pouring out their hearts and souls for the nation, and their efforts do not go unnoticed.
“All of you, every one of you are extraordinary. You're willing to give your time, your heart, your treasure, your blood, sweat, and tears to the movement to save America. To the one solution that's as big as our nation's problems," Meckler applauded.
Since 2019, the organization's Regional Directors have nominated individuals and state teams for the Team of the Year and the Volunteer of the Year awards. The 2023 award recipients were announced during the call, highlighting the year’s most impressive and dedicated activists.
There were eight impressive nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award: Andrew Shooks from Oregon, David Winters from Illinois, Diana Telles from Ohio, Erika Hatfield from Texas, Julie Sandifer from Louisiana, Karen Rotschafer from Nebraska, Mary Ellen Probanski from New York, and Melissa Martin from North Carolina.
Wearing many hats for his state team, David Winters received the Volunteer of the Year award. Because of his enthusiasm as the Illinois State Director, his team refers to him as the Energizer Bunny.
“I have to totally agree with that statement. He is a Go Go Go servant leader,” said Regional Director Michael Arnold.
Next came the Team of the Year award. Eight states were nominated: Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New York, Texas, and Virginia. The award went to Team Virginia, which strategically developed legislative strategies, executed over two dozen TelePatriot missions, conducted GOTV texting and calls, coordinated block walking and yard signs, and more.
“I’m blown away every day by the people in this organization, and the Virginia team is certainly no exception,” commented Regional Director Grant Martin. “It’s really exciting to see teams truly come together. You just really saw that this year with the Virginia team. All the pieces started to come together, the leadership and drive were there.”
Inspired by the tremendous strength among the grassroots, Senior Advisor Rick Santorum mentioned two key headways in 2023. First, we saw the left begin to pop up and come after us more than they probably ever have. Second, The Heritage Foundation came forward and endorsed Convention of States, a huge triumph going into the 2024 legislative season.
“I'm really excited about their involvement in Convention of States going forward,” Santorum remarked. “I think we have some real opportunities next year to pick up several states and really tee us up for that momentum going into the 2024 election."
As the year comes to a close, there are many accomplishments worth celebrating. You can watch the 2023 Year-in-Review compilation here. Thank you to every American who has dedicated their time to the Article V solution. To continue the momentum in 2024, we ask that any new supporters sign the COS petition, which you can find below.
